28. Lira

28

LIRA

C oncern swirled from Tavish, mixing with mine. During the entire conversation, I'd sensed conflicting emotions within him, but there was too much going on to even attempt to talk via our fated-mate bond.

However, the tightness of the bond reflected our emotions perfectly. This seemingly simple question spoke volumes about what sort of future the two of us would have—one leading toward peace for both our people or one where they would always be at odds.

I already knew my choice. I would always choose him, no matter the consequences.

Still… it'd be easier if our people could learn to at least accept one another.

Father's wings lowered marginally, the only sign of his own disappointment in our people, which caused me to release Mother's arm and tug Tavish forward with me.

He didn't resist, though his confusion wafted through the connection.

"I understand your hesitation." I straightened, now hovering in front of both of my parents. I could see Father's raised eyebrows, but he didn't intervene.

He was going to let me say what I wanted.

My heart swelled, causing my chest to feel like it might explode. Father trusted me. Something I hadn't even realized that I wanted.

"For over twelve years now, you've viewed the Unseelie as a threat to our realm, our safety, and most importantly, to our land and magic." Even though both Seelie and Unseelie were fae, Unseelie magic could thrive in the darkness and frost because that was part of what made them, whereas Seelie magic couldn't. We had to have a balance of day and night and warmth for our magic and land to remain at their strongest. "And even before that, there was mistrust because our magic can be at odds."

A few nodded, encouraging me to continue. I tried to ignore the butterflies soaring inside my stomach and the urge to vomit. Somehow, fighting for my life in the gauntlet had been easier than standing up here, trying to plead for the Seelie to not view the Unseelie as their enemy. "But although the moon and sun are opposites, they complement each other. Without the light, our crops can't grow, and without the night, the heat would scorch our land." The island where the Unseelie had lived was an anomaly. The dragons had ruined it, and nothing could grow outside the cave, so Tavish cloaking the land in constant darkness and snow had been a tactic to discourage the Seelie and dragons from coming back.

"Why did King Dunach cover the entire realm in darkness if their food supply was at risk as well?" someone shouted from the back.

Fair question. One I wasn't certain Tavish would want answered. I turned to him, knowing Father had alluded to the fact that the dragons had used their magic to influence the Unseelie. He hadn't gone into detail, which I'd appreciated. That wasn't our story to tell.

Tavish smiled sadly at me and then stared back at the people. "As King Erdan referenced, my father was influenced by dragon magic and wasn't in his right state of mind. People in our court noticed, and he was being watched constantly. He shouldn't have been able to blanket the realm in darkness; no one is meant to be capable of that. Everyone is aware of how our magics work together in Ardanos to balance our world. None of us had even considered the possibility of my father doing that, but recently, we exposed a traitor close to the royal family who was working with the dragons. All I can say is that neither my father nor my mother ever intended to take control of the realm. In fact, prior to the dragons' influence, my father was convinced that Lira and I should be married to unite the fae." His regret filled our bond, causing a deep ache in my chest.

The past twelve years had been so hard for him, and I wished I could go back and prevent the chaos that had consumed our realm. I couldn't do that, but what I could do was stand beside my mate. "Yes, his father was wrong, but haven't the Unseelie paid enough for their former king's mistake of trusting the wrong person? The Unseelie lost their king and queen as a result, and a fourteen-year-old young man was tossed into a leadership role, unable to mourn the death of his parents. His people were kicked out of their rightful home and banished to a land ruined by the dragons, where he had to witness almost two-thirds of them starving to death and try to keep the ones who remained alive from fighting one another for resources. Don't you think they've suffered enough? Especially when the dragons are the ones who caused all of this?"

I needed the people to redirect their hatred to the right species. They had to realize that the Unseelie were just as much, if not more, victims as we were. The Unseelie were just as important to me as the Seelie, and I needed the two to get along because both were now my people. In my heart, there wasn't a divide anymore. "Working together will allow us to be strong and face the bigger threat."

"We aren't asking for instant trust or friendship." Tavish placed a hand across his chest. "All I ask is that we not fight or live in fear of each other. You are Lira's people, and I love her with my entire being, which means that I bear you no ill will—unless you threaten Lira. If you threaten her, you'll wish that I handled you as nicely as King Erdan did that blasting wildling."

"And he was doing so well," Finnian whispered loudly.

Finola chuckled quietly. "He's still Tavish. That will never change."

"True. Thank Fate for that."

Remind me to stab him when we're away from here. Tavish's jaw clenched. He's been driving everyone insane, including Brenin.

Father and Mother flew forward, and once again, the four of us hovered in a line.

"I support King Tavish and my daughter's message. It is time to begin repairing the rift between our peoples." Father arched a brow. "I will ask once more—are there any volunteers who will help the Unseelie harvest their land once again? They are down significant numbers, and this is a way we can show our support since it was us who forced them from their land."

There was another pause, and my heart dropped. Tavish and I had both tried to connect with the Seelie, but it hadn't been enough. I wasn't sure how we were supposed to have the Unseelie and Seelie come together if they wouldn't even try at the request of their king.

I deflated, though I tried to give off the impression I was unaffected.

Sprite, this doesn't change anything between us. Tavish turned and kissed my cheek. I will not give you up for anything—dragons, betrothals, or even if the Unseelie and the Seelie remain enemies.

Why can't Fate just give us— I started.

"I'll help the Unseelie," a woman called out from the back of the crowd. "I'm ahead of my numbers for the week."

Both of our heads jerked back toward the people. Someone had finally spoken up. It wasn't much, but at least it was somebody.

A man near the front raised a hand. "I can help as well."

One by one, more people volunteered. And each time someone new offered, the surprise in Tavish remained the same. He truly hadn't expected anyone to help.

When it was all over, one hundred Seelie had volunteered. Even though that was a fraction of the Seelie numbers, it was a huge start.

"Excellent." Father beamed. "The one hundred volunteers should leave once this meeting concludes and will be rewarded for their contribution."

My breath stopped. I hadn't expected Father to reward anyone who helped. I had merely been thankful for him doing what he had today.

A few hushed sounds came from the crowd, but Father and Mother turned and flew back into the dining hall. I followed suit, a sour taste filling my mouth when we flew over blood.

Greason's fate would haunt me because my betrayal had led to his death.

His death isn't your fault. Tavish landed on the smooth floor a few steps away. You didn't make him attack you.

I did disgrace him, and his guard role was taken away. Castle guard was a coveted position since most guards were stationed outside to watch the borders. Even though the dragons were supposedly our allies and the Unseelie had been kept out by the veil, my parents believed in keeping watch.

A server hurried past me, calling her water magic to wash the blood off the floor.

Father took a seat at the head of the table and gestured for the rest of us to join him. "Please sit. Let's eat so we can discuss what you've learned before you head back and rest."

Sorcha flew around the table, but Finnian chased after her, catching her arm. Her breath caught as she turned and faced him.

"What are you doing?" she gritted out, though I noticed she didn't remove her arm from his grasp.

"Just wondering where you might be later." He winked. "I thought before I head out to battle that maybe we could spend a little time together."

"Thanks, but I'll pass." She jerked her arm away and spun around, retreating.

That was strange. She never acted that way around me.

Placing an arm around my shoulders, Tavish led me to the seat to the right of my father. Our connection sprang to life, generating the soothing buzz between us. As I sat, Nightbane lay at the end of the table between Father and me and huffed.

"Finnian, what have I told you about always flirting?" Tavish rolled his eyes as he sat next to me. "We don't have time for distractions."

"Says the man who was grumpy the entire time we were away, all because of a certain somebody." Finnian's gaze landed on me. "Though I'm not naming names."

"Do you think we might not know who you're referring to?" Struan rolled his eyes as he took his spot behind me while Finola stood behind Tavish. Mom and Dad positioned themselves behind my parents.

Mother sat across from me and patted the seat next to her. "Finnian, why don't you sit here, and Struan, Finola, Hestia, and Brenin, do join us. I know it's unorthodox, but you all were out the entire night and need to eat before the battle tonight."

The four guards froze.

"You heard the queen." Father leaned back in his seat and leveled his gaze at each of them. "Join us. She's right. You are all exhausted."

Finola sat next to Tavish with Struan on her other side as Dad took the seat between Mom and Finnian, whom he scowled at.

Did something happen between Finnian and Dad? I'd never known Dad to dislike anyone who didn't deserve it. He was gentle, stern, and even-keeled unless someone mistreated Mom, Eiric, or me.

He kept winking at Hestia. Tavish shook his head and yawned. I hope Brenin will stab him so he'll learn because anytime I harm him, it seems to encourage him. Scooting closer to me, Tavish turned his attention to my parents. "I appreciate the speech you gave out there, but I thought we agreed that we weren't going to inform anyone what we'd learned about the dragons. We have no idea if anyone else is compromised on either side."

The server who'd cleaned up the blood hurried back across the room as five more servers entered, carrying two plates each, and set one in front of each of us, including Nightbane.

Father picked up a yellow sunberry. "We did, but after Lira was attacked last night, Sylphia and I discussed matters. Gaelle had informed more people of Lira's return to the castle, and we feared one of them would try to retaliate since word of the Unseelie return had spread. We hadn't realized that our people would hurt our daughter, but after she aided in your escape, they equated her with the Unseelie. It was a tactical decision and the best one we could determine to allow Lira to move back and forth between the two kingdoms as she wishes."

"Before the speech, we deployed half our guards to survey Aetherglen. They'll keep watch overnight while the more seasoned warriors sleep to prepare for tonight." Mother placed both hands on the table. "That was the other reason we had to make the announcement this morning. There won't be many guards patrolling the border between our two kingdoms because we'll be stretched thin."

My head swam. There were so many moving parts that this plan felt like it was ever-changing.

Tavish took a large gulp of water, frazzled as much as I was. When he set the clear glass back on the table, his expression settled into indifference. "I understand and appreciate you including Cuil Dorcha in the watch."

"Even if we manage to surprise the dragons, they could retaliate by attacking us while we're preoccupied." Father ran a hand over his beard. "There are so many possible scenarios, and every time we run through the plans, I think of something new."

"Ah… expect the unexpected." Finnian stuffed his mouth with bread. "That's been my personal mantra ever since Lira arrived."

"That doesn't help matters." Dad rubbed his temples like he had a headache.

I tried to hide my smile. Finnian had that effect on people.

"Did you learn anything valuable?" Father asked.

The six of them took turns updating us on what they'd discovered, and we discussed the strategies we could employ.

"Our best strategy is the one Lira has suggested all along." Struan winced like it pained him to say the words.

Tavish's hold on me tightened. He hadn't moved his arm from my shoulders. His emotions were swinging between fear, anger, and frustration, and I hated what all of this was doing to him.

"The island is set up so we can watch her hand herself over without risking losing her. The castle is visible from the sky as long as Tavish has time to recharge and cloak us," Finola said. "We'll need the warriors split into three groups to cover the villages once they can fly inward and engage in battle. Struan and I will decide who we believe we can trust on the Unseelie side to join the war."

"Noted, and yes, we need those we are certain are trustworthy." Father finished his last bite and pushed his plate away. "The six of you should go rest and recharge. Tonight will be long for all of us."

I quickly stood, eager to spend time alone with Tavish. The two of us needed each other.

"We'll meet two hours before darkness at our kingdom's border on the side closest to the dragon land." Tavish got to his feet, sliding his hand around my waist and pulling me close to him. "That should give us enough time to get into position before—" He closed his eyes, unable to finish that sentence.

He didn't have to. Everyone knew what he meant.

"We shall see you then." Father nodded and smiled at me. "Until tonight."

Finnian, Finola, Struan, Tavish, and I turned to face the balcony. It was time to return to Cuil Dorcha. I bent to carry Nightbane, but Tavish pulled me away.

"Finnian, bring the beast," he commanded.

Head tilting back, Finnian pointed at himself. "Me?"

"Yes, since you annoyed everyone else, this is the consequence." Tavish rocked back on his feet.

I chuckled, knowing how the two of them could be. "I got rest last night. I can carry him."

But before I could bend, my feet suddenly lifted out from underneath me.